Arsenal dream 25-man squad with Calafiori and Gyokeres transfer as nine sold

One month ago football.london predicted what Mikel Arteta’s dream Premier League squad with Arsenal would look like come the end of the transfer window. It came four days before the actual summer window itself had even opened.

We are now three weeks into official business and so far things are yet to really take shape for Arsenal. David Raya is the only permanent signing to arrive, and even that had been expected for the past seven months, if not more.

There is still a demand for a new striker and midfielder, whilst the host of changes to the supporting cast of rotation options and squad players is yet to get underway. No significant sales have happened, and in fact two of the more promising academy youngsters have left for nothing.

So it was one month ago that we envisioned an Arsenal with Justin Bijlow joining, Murillo from Nottingham Forest supporting the defence, Douglas Luiz coming in to be Declan Rice’s ideal partner, and Benjamin Sesko leading the line. There was even room for Viktor Tsygankov at the time.

Well, adhering to the Premier League rules of no more than 17 non-homegrown players, and an unlimited amount of Under-21s, here is an updated dream Arsenal 25-man squad.

Goalkeepers: Raya, Hein, Garcia

Raya is the undisputed No.1 and it leaves awkward questions for the future of Aaron Ramsdale. He is one of many who we will cover here that could be sold this summer. Ramsdale leaving would leave a spot open for a new backup, though.

READ MORE: What David Raya Arsenal transfer means for Aaron Ramsdale as Mikel Arteta makes feelings clear

READ MORE: Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal explained as £208million investment plan is not slowing down

Karl Hein agreeing to stay at the club almost certainly sorts out the third-choice spot, even if he would prefer to be getting first-team football. However, links with Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia have emerged. If things were to work out then he could be a like-for-like in the squad with Ramsdale, and ideally it would come as a net profit as well given an expected £30million fee for the Englishman to leave.

With Under-21s able to play as much (or as little) football throughout the season without taking up one of the squad spots, there is no shortage of options if an emergency were to happen. Hein is also useful as he doesn’t take up one of the non-homegrown player spots – and neither does Raya with his background at Blackburn Rovers.

Defenders: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Calafiori, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Timber, Guehi

Arsenal look well stocked at the back already but are going hard for Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori. Out of the players already on the books he is the fifth who is able to play in at least two spots.

Primarily a centre-back, but also adept on the left, Calafiori will seemingly offer Jakub Kiwior direct competition for his place. If Jurrien Timber is mainly seen as a left (or right)-back, then there is a lot of choices for Mikel Arteta on the flanks. Oleksandr Zinchenko will certainly be forced to up his levels if he wishes to keep a spot in the side.

Zinchenko has been touted as a possible candidate to leave but so far nothing has emerged and, just two years into his stay at the club, it would take something big for him to go. If there is a spot here that can be improved on, then it’s the backup centre-half.

Arsenal, as mentioned, have plenty of versatile options – Ben White, Timber, Calafiori if he signs, and Kiwior – all offering flexibility, but in Marc Guehi there is a player with experience at centre-back, specialising in the role. He would be a serious contender to push Gabriel Magalhaes and has leadership qualities.

Guehi could be available this summer, though only for a large fee of over £60million. He is homegrown though, which counts for plenty.

Then there are the returning loanees of Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares. The latter only has one year left on his deal and will be free to discuss pre-contracts ahead of next summer in six months time, so Arsenal could do with finding him a new home before long. Tavares himself is getting nothing out of staying at the club and ought to be sold.

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Midfielders: Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Onana, Gallagher

Outside of Arteta’s favourites, there is a dearth of midfielders at Arsenal who can reasonably expect game time next season. As such, as many as four could leave in one way or another over the coming months.

Emile Smith Rowe would be a fine squad option to have but simply isn’t getting the minutes to benefit himself or the club. A loan or sale for around £30million would probably suit everyone at this stage. The same is true of Fabio Vieira, who must surely be a prime candidate to leave permanently after underwhelming in his first two seasons.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is reportedly in talks with Sevilla to head out on loan with an option to buy. Having impressed but not done enough to secure a spot at a top side, this is ideal for everyone. The most interesting one here is Thomas Partey.

He, like Tierney, has 12 months left on his contract. Into his 30s, though, and Partey has no resale value to Arsenal and would command a high wage if he was to sign a new deal. However, the performances throughout 2022/23 suggest he is a player who can offer plenty.

The worry is that having missed almost all of last season with injury, Arsenal must now make a call on his future. Even if he stays there is a lack of midfield options to support Rice, so if a sale does happen – and there’s a big chance it will – then an alternative is needed.

Amadou Onana is a great pick for this and Arsenal are known admirers of the player. Also in consideration is Bruno Guimaraes. The pair of them would form a strong group but cost a bomb. Only one is likely, but realistically if Partey goes then more cover will be needed.

Conor Gallagher is available for £50million this summer and is a slightly lower price than other names, like Martin Zubimendi. Gallagher is a different style of player to Onana but is strangely similar to Guimaraes. Perhaps if the window gets down to the final weeks and the demand is still there, Arsenal could spring a surprise?

It is worth noting at this stage that Ethan Nwaneri can play without being named in the main squad as he is Under-21 (and homegrown, for that matter). Kai Havertz has also been used as a midfielder and may have a slightly altered role next season depending on what happens up front.

Attackers: Martinelli, Williams, Saka, Jesus, Havertz, Trossard, Gyokeres

More change is due in the frontline, but Arsenal’s foundations for this part of the field are extremely strong. The one spot that needs looking at is striker, and that may well see the end of Eddie Nketiah’s career at the club. He only scored five league goals last season and three of those came in one game against Sheffield United, he clearly isn’t trusted.

Like with Smith Rowe and others, an exit is on the cards and appears to benefit everyone. The same is true of Reiss Nelson, who again is simply not deemed a viable option on a regular basis. Both players leaving does not leave the Arteta short, though.

Firstly, their game time has been minimal, and secondly, Havertz as a striker is now a much more likely solution than it was when he joined. Leandro Trossard can have a bigger role to play as well, as can Gabriel Jesus as he looks to be alongside Zinchenko in proving himself after a disappointing second year.

The striker spot is the big one. Havertz has shown himself to be capable but ideally there will be an out-and-out No.9 signed. Viktor Gyokeres is a name the club have looked at, and at this stage he looks more likely than Victor Osimhen to join. This, along with the midfield conundrum, is the biggest question facing Arteta and Edu this summer.

Meanwhile, on the right-wing and if Bukayo Saka needs support – although Trossard and Jesus can play there – then Nico Williams is certainly an exciting attacker to go with.

Arsenal, therefore, have plenty to work with. The versatility of players throughout the squad will offer Arteta the chance to rotate more than he has in previous years, and with Nwaneri there is one of the best young talents around, itching to get a go.

Arsenal dream 25-man Premier League squad: Raya*, Hein*, Garcia, White*, Saliba, Calafiori, Timber, Guehi*, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Gabriel, Rice*, Jorginho, Odegaard, Onana, Gallagher*, Martinelli*, Saka*, Jesus, Havertz, Trossard, Williams, Gyokeres.

*Homegrown